We have a very limited number of opportunities for parents to volunteer to teach a JanTerm class in January 2023.
What is JanTerm?
JanTerm is like a collegiate mini semester. Students will choose three topical, 7-day seminars that offer a greater opportunity to explore new course topics which may not fit into the traditional academic year but are perfect for shorter, more intensive study. Courses are taught by current grades 7 – 12 faculty, and there are also a few opportunities for parents and alumni to teach a class.
When does JanTerm take place?
JanTerm 2023 runs for seven days, from January 3 – 12, sandwiched between Christmas vacation and the start of spring semester.
What does the daily schedule look like?
Each day will be split into four 80-minute blocks (3 regular blocks for most classes plus an early morning block for some of the AP classes only), as follows:
- Block 0 (some AP classes only): 8:00 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.
- Block 1: 9:35 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.
- Block 2: 11:10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Activity: 1:00 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.
- Block 3: 1:25 p.m. – 2.45 p.m.
Note: Volunteer teachers would teach just one class during one of the blocks (1, 2, or 3)
What types of classes are we looking for?
JanTerm gives us a unique opportunity to offer classes that we would not normally be able to offer in school. It’s this breadth of curriculum and the ability to dive deep into these specialist topics that makes JanTerm so special. In short, we want this to be a different experience for the students. For an example of the kinds of courses offered, please review the JanTerm 2023 At-a-Glance Catalog or the full JanTerm 2023 Course Catalog.
Are guest instructors restricted to teaching students in a particular division?
No, guest instructors may offer a class to either students in grades 9 – 12 or students in grades 7 – 8.
What are the next steps?
With the above in mind, please submit the following information to James Woollard (jwoollard@tbcs.org) by Friday, September 30:
- JanTerm course title* (clear, enticing, not too cryptic please!)
- Course description* (100 – 150 words, written in the third person, clearly describing the nature of your course, including any student prerequisites, and whether repeat students are permitted or not*)
- Grade range for class enrollees (7 – 8 or 9 – 12)
- Other important information (preferred block, anticipated costs/field trip needs, etc. James Woollard will follow up)
*In your course titles and descriptions, please try to “sell” your class. Sometimes students think they won’t like a particular class because of what it sounds like on paper, so try to make the class sound interesting and fun!